Water meter upgrades likely in Swanton

New water meters are likely on the way for Swanton residents and other water customers.

Swanton Village Council on Feb. 24 approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the expenditure of up to $170,000 for the project. Three readings are required for final approval.

“Our meters are beyond the age they should be,” said Councilman Craig Rose. “We’re starting the process of replacing all meters with new meters.”

Rose said the goal is to get 15-20 years of use out of the new meters.

Public water systems are required by the Ohio EPA to track and document assets and metrics. The ordinance says an upgrade is “urgently needed” to track the water supply as water losses have exceeded 20 percent and the loss of revenue is a significant issue for the village.

The hope is that the new meters will improve the village’s ability to keep track of water use. A commercial water meter upgrade has already begun.

There are 440 properties slated for the first phase of residential updates.

Also at the meeting, Council approved an agreement with ProMedica for a CPR Training Center. The agreement will allow the Swanton Fire/EMS to be used as a satellite for ProMedica CPR Training Center programs for basic life support, advanced cardiovascular life support and/or pediatric advanced life support.

Council also approved submission of a grant application to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for two new body armor vests for police officers.

Reports

• Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle reported that there were four applications for the Downtown Facade Enhancement Program. The village program sets aside money to help fund improvements to downtown buildings.

• Memorial Park clean-up day is scheduled for March 21 from 1-3 p.m. All members of the community are invited.

• The first Ask the Administrator Day will be held Friday morning at CK Sweets, 95 S. Main St. Residents are welcome to come in and speak with Hoelzle.

• Mayor Neil Toeppe reported that a new appliance repair shop will be opening on South Main Street, between Steals and Deals and Tano’s Pizza.

• Toeppe also reported that work continues on a checklist for new businesses, with a first draft now complete.

• A youth baseball tournament is slated for June 12-14 Memorial Park. Toeppe said the tournament brings 4,000-5,000 people into the village over the weekend.